Shipping-case.



W. H. HAMMOND.

SHIPPlNG CASE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 9. 1914.

Patented De0.21,1915.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1 (J/Norma;

WHHHMMOND O I 4 0 Z 0 l o o W 4W in MI OT 7 m 1 1. A Q O I.. 1|. 9 MM U I WW 3 4 6 @w 7 v o o 5 mm 3 m U 0%. w m w WV wM fi mow w-. H. HAMMOND.

SHIPPING CASE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 9, WM.

Patented Dec. 21, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

, WHHHMMOND WILLIAM H. HAMMOND, OF CLIFFORD, MASSACHUSETTS.

SHIPPING-CASE.

To all whom it may concern: v p I Be it known that 1,.l/VILLIA1WIH. HAM- MOND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Clifford, in the county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, have invented'cer tain new and useful Improvements in Shipping-Cases, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in shipping cases and more particularly to what 1s known in the art as a knock-clown shipping case, the main object a to occupy a minimum space upon return shipment. 4 I

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a device of the above character wherein the use of bolts, nuts,

screws and other similar fastening means is eliminated in folding or retaining the various sections of the case in their operative or effective positions. v 1 p 7 Another object'of the present invention is I the provision of a shipping case of the above character which will possess advantages in points of eflicieney and durability, is inexpensive to manufacture and, at the same time, is simple in construction and operation.

With the above-and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter referred to and more particularly pointed out in the specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming a. part of this application, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shipping case constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same in its folded position. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view, as set up ready for use. Fig. 5 is a detail bottom plan view illustrating the securing members; and Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view illustrating a slightly modified form of the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 indicates thebottom member of my specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 21, 1915.

Application filed October 9, 1914. Serial No. 865,879.

improved folding case and 2 and 3 indicate theside walls thereof, which are arranged upon opposite sides of the bottom and secured thereto in a manner which is to be hereinafter more fully set forth. Mounted upon each end of the bottom member 1, are the end members a and 5, which are arranged between the ends of the side walls 2 and 3 and removably connected thereto. It will be noted from the accompanying drawings that the side and end walls are removably connected tothe bottom and form an open case adapted to be closed by means of a cover 6, which is secured to the side and end walls in a manner which will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

Securedto each end of the bottom member 1, are the angular plates 7, the inner edges of which are engaged beneath metallic binding strips 8 which are secured to the bottom 1. The central portions of the plates '1 are cut-away at their upper edges as shown at 9 to form spaced tongues 10, the upper edges of which are bent inwardly, as shown at 11 and adapted to engage within the longitudinal grooves 12 formedin the end members 4- and 5, at a point adjacent the bot-.

15 arranged in spaced relation with the body of the plate and at the lower end. of the cutaway portion' 14:, the purpose of which will be hereinafter more fully set forth. The ends of the side walls 2 and 3, are provided with angular plates 16 and formed integral with these plates are the tongues 17, portions of which are adapted to be arranged in spaced relation with the sides of the plates 16 which are arranged over the ends of the side walls, thus forming substantial hooks which are adapted to be engaged with the tongues :15 formed upon the plates 13 at'the side edges of the end members 4 and 5. It will be noted that the members 17 are slotted so that when they are engaged with the tongues 15, portions thereof will extend on to the body portions of the plates 13, whereby to firmly connect the ends and sidewalls; It will be noted from the foregoing that the side walls can be quickly and readily connected to the ends 4 and 5, or detached therefrom. The side walls 2 .and 3 are provided at their lower edges and at a central pointwith metallic plates 18, the lower ends of which are bent upon themselves to provide securing members 19, portions of which are-spaced from the lower ends of the plates to provide substantial engaginghooks. In order to securely retain the side walls 2 and 3 upon the longitudinal edges of the bottom member 1, I provide pivotal locking members 20 which are arranged beneath a retaining strip 21, arranged transversely across the central portion of the bottom, said securing members 20 being provided with a hook portion 22 which is adapted to engage beneath. the securing members 19, upon the lower edges of the side walls whereby to securely retain said side walls in their effective positions. The members 20 are further provided upon one of their longitudinal edges with catches 23 adapted for engagement with the longitudinal edges of the strip 21, to limit the pivotal movement of the retaining members 20 in one direction.

In securing the side walls 2 and 3 in position upon the bottom member.1, they are first arranged adjacent the longitudinal edges of the bottom, so that the ends thereof contact with the outwardly projecting ends 24: of the plates 7 and the members 20' are then moved upon their pivots so that the hook portion 22 will engage with the securing members 19 at the lower edges of the side walls. The strips 21 are provided adjacent" their ends and upon opposite sides thereof with outwardly projecting lugs 25 forming stops adapted for engagement with the members 23 to prevent longitudinal movement of the securing members 20, after,

they are arranged in the1r effective position.

The cover of the box,- which is generally indicated by the numeral 6, is provided at one end with an angular plate 27, one edge of which projects down beyond the underside of the top and is provided with an inturned flange 28 adapted for engagement within a transverse recess 29 formed in the end wall 5, whereby to securely retain this end of the top in its closed position. The other end of the cover is provided with an angular plate 30 and hingedly connected thereto, is

a movable plate 31, which is provided with spaced slots 32 and .32, the slot 32 being adapted to receive a pivoted lever 33 carried by the end wall 4 and which is adapted to be arranged transversely across the slot to retain the movable member 31 in its effective position and also retain the cover in its closed position.

Extending outwardly from the end niember' l and adapted to be arranged in eachend of the slot 32, are the studs 34, which securely retain the movable member 31 against any lateral movement with respect to the cover. From this it will be apparent that after the cover has been placed in position on the case, it can be quickly and readily placed in position by having the lever the end 1, the cover can be. quickly and readily removed from the top of the case.

In Fig. 1, I have illustrated my improved shipping casein its upright position and, when it is desired to disengage .thevarious elements composing'the case, and to arrange them in knock-down position, the cover 6 is first removed by actuating'the lever 33, so

The cover 6 is provided at each end that the movable member 31 can be disen gaged from the end member 4. The cover is then moved longitudinally to disengage the flange 28 from the end 5. The 'side walls are then released by moving the catch members 22 out of engagement withv the members 19 which will permit the side walls to be raised vertically, disengaging the catches 15 and 17, thus releasing the end walls 4 and 5 so that they can be moved inwardly away from the inturned flanges 11 of the plate 7. It will be'noted in the, ac companyingdrawings, that the end walls are each provided with a central :bolt opening 38 and the side walls arealso providedwith spaced bolt openings 39. The top or cover 6 is also'provided witlrbolt openings {10, while the bottom 1 1s provlded with similar openlngs 11,- and communicating with the lower ends of theseopenings 41, are the nuts 42 wh ch are securely'retained inposition by means of a plate 43 countersunk in the lower face ofthe bottom 1. From this it will be apparent that the sides, end walls and cover will be arranged-inposition upon the bottom, as illustrated in Fig. 3, so that the various bolt openings within theseelements will be arranged in alinement where, by the securing bolts 1-4: 'and 45 can be lnserted through the openings and their threaded ends engaged with the nuts 42 to securely; retain the membersin their knock down position.

In using my improved case for shipping fruit, vegetables and the like, it will not be necessary to provide a division-board but, on the other hand, when using'the case for shipping eggs and the like, I provide a diretained in position by having spaced lugs and the like. From this it will be apparent vision-board'which is indicated by the numeral 46/ This division-board is securely aTformed upon the lower edge thereof and adapted to be inserted within spacedopenings formed in the bottom member 1 at the approximate center thereof, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2. The division-board 4:6, which is centrally arranged within the case, is further arranged in position by means of the headed pins i8, which are se cured to the sides thereof, at a pointadjacent the upper ends and are adapted for engagement with the slotted plates 49 which are secured to the side walls upon the inner face thereof, at a point adjacent the upper edges, so that as the division-board is lowered in position, the headed pins 48 are engaged with the plates to retain the same in position.

. In order to retain the bolts 4:4: and at?) in a suitable position, so that they can be ready for use when it is desired to knock-down the case for return shipment, one of the end walls is provided with suitable openings extending vertically therein, to receive these bolts. Furthermore, the central partition or division-board 46 will also be provided with similar openings to receive these bolts when the case is to be used in shipping eggs that the bolts 4H and 45 will, at all times, be retained in connection with the case, so that when the same is knocked'down for return shipment, they can be readily inserted through the bolt openings to retain the elements of the case in their knockdown position.

In Fig. 6, I have illustrated a slightly modified form of the invention, wherein the construction is such that the case may be used for shipping poultry and'small live stock. In this form of the invention, I provide angular metallic corner members 50 which comprise the ends of each of the side walls, the main portions of the side walls including metallic channel-shaped strips 51, the ends of which are provided with reduced tongues adapted to be 7 inserted through slots formed in the ends 50 and bent upon themselves as shown at 52, to securely retain the members 51 in position. The end walls include the metallic channel strips 53, having spaced slots therein to receive the reduced tongues formed at the ends of the cross bars 54, said tongues being bent upon themselves as shown at 52 to retain them in their effective positions. The longitudinal edges of the plates 53 are provided with securing members 15 which are similar to the members15 formed upon the plates 13 of the end walls 4 and 5. One of the longitudinal edges of the members 50 is also provided with securing members 17' which are similar to the members 17 formed on the Outside of the construction of the side and end walls, the modified form of the invention, as herein shown and described, is sub stantially the same as the preferred form, The cover 6 is also provided with the handle members 37' and with the fastening member Whichis similar to the securing.

member 31, but it'will be noted that the opposite end of the case, upon which the fastening member is arranged, is shown in Fig. 6, so that the fastening member is not disclosed in this figure. This form of theinvention is substantially as simple as the preferred form of the invention, and can be manufactured and placed upon the market at a comparatively low cost. In arranging the crate, as illustrated in Fig. 6, in a knockdown position, the end walls are first placed in position upon the bottom 1 and the side walls are then placed upon the ends, the cover 6 being placed on top. Bolts similar to the members 44: and a5 are then inserted through the bolt openings 4L0 inthe cover 6' and extended down into the openings 41 and secured in position. From this it will be apparent that this form of the invention can be used equally as well as the preferred form and readily set up for use or arranged in a knock-downposition for return shipment.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be readily apparent that I have provided a shipping case which can be readily used for shipping fruit, vegetables and the like and by the insertion of the division-board 46, can be readily used for ship ping eggs and articles of a like character. It will also be apparent that the case can be quickly and readily set up for use, or arranged in a knock-down position. for re turn shipment. My improved shipping case, as herein shown and described, is extremely simple in construction, and can be manufactured and placed upon the market at a comparatively low cost.

While I have shown and described the preferred form of my invention, it will be obvious that various changes in the details of construction and in the proportions may be resorted to for successfully carrying my invention into practice, withoutsacrificing any of the novel features or departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described this invention, what I claim is::

1. 'A device of the class described including a bottom member, end walls mounted upon each'end thereof, means for removably retaining said end walls in position, side 'Walls arranged contiguous with the side edges of the bottom, a transverse strip ex-- tended centrally across the lower face of the bottom, pivoted latch members arranged beneath each end of the strip, catch mem-. bers" carried by the'side walls and adapted.

to be engaged by the latch members on the bottom to retain said side Walls in position, a cover mounted upon the upper end of the side walls, and means for removably securing said cover in, position."

r 2. A deviceof the class described including a bottom-member, side and end Walls carried thereby, means detachably connecting the ends'of the side and end walls,'one of said end Walls being provided adjacent its upper edge with a transverse groove, a cover mounted upon the side and end Walls,

an angular plate secured to one end of the cover'and having an inturned flange adapted for engagement within the. groove, a hinged plate connected to the other end 01 the cover and providedv with spaced longitudinalslots, studs-carried by the second end Wall and adapted to be arranged in the opposite ends of one of the slots,"and a pivoted bar carried by the endwall adapted to be extended through the second one of said slots and arranged transversely across thev the edges of the strip to limit the pivotal movement of said latches in one direction, and aremovable cover mounted upon the upper edges of theside and end Walls, and

means carried by the cover and adapted for removable engagement with the end Walls to retain said cover in position.

4. A container including a bottom wall, removable end and side Walls, a removable cover, fixed catch members carried by the side Walls, a strip extending transversely;

across the lower face of the bottom wall, a

Copies of this patent'may be obtained for meals? pivoted latch member arranged between each terminal of the strip and the face of the bottom wall, a stop flange formed on each latch, said stop flanges being engageable with 'thepstrip for limiting the'swinging movement of the latch in one direction, and catch members carried by the side walls, said catch members being adaptedto receive the pivoted latches when the sidewalls are disposed in position agamst'thebottom' Wall.

5. A container including .a bottom wall,

removable side and end walls, a removable cover, and means for securing'the cover in position-on the upper edges of the end and side walls, said means including a relatively fixed plate carried by one end of the cover and provided with an inwardly directed flange, the one end wall being provided in its outer face with a transverse groove adapted to receive said flange when the cover is in position, an angular plate secured to the other end of the cover, a catch plate hinged to said angular plate and provided with a transverse slot, a pivoted latch' member carried by the second end wall, said latch being adapted to pass through the" slot of the hinged plate and to be turned to traverse the slot for holding the hinged plate against the end Wall, whereby said plate serves both as a means for securing the end wall in position and as a hinge for the cover when the same is to be raised.

*6. A container including a bottom Wall,

separate end and side walls detachably secured thereto, a removable cover, and means.

for detachably connecting the ad]o1n1ng cor-' ners of the side and end Walls, said means including corner plates embracing the cor ners of the side Walls, locking tongues formed on the plates and disposed in parallel spaced relation thereto, and plates carried by the end Walls at the vertical edges thereof, said plates being'provided with vertic'ally extending slots adapted to receive said locking tongues. I r

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two Wit- IIGSSGS.

lVILLIAM H. HAMMOND.

Vitnesses: j r GEORGE W. STETSONTI' EDWARD H. CROMWE L. f

five cents each, by addressing tne Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

